Yep! Usual symptons include clammy and sweaty skin/face, skin going pale [white even!] and feeling very faint. Need to lie down immediately..... otherwise will collapse/passout.
I think the correct term is vasodilation and associated drop/plummet in blood pressure.

For me, I need to lie down until fully recovered (feeling OK and normal blood pressure) - feet raised and head lowered. After giving blood and having a reaction they get the doctor to come and check me - blood pressure etc. They gave me something sweet and water. Recovery just takes time. Maybe 30 or at most 60 minutes. A cool wet washer on my face helps too.

Someone with the medical background will express this more accurately!

I observed this the very first time I gave, at age 18. My big strapping mate in front of me in the queue to get the thumb prick keeled over the instant the nurse squeezed the droplet out. He went down like a ton of bricks and was out for the count.

On 7/06/2011 salty crag wrote:>Wife and I both used to give but they took the option away, powers to be>classed our town as to far away from civilisation so no more.

Why not line up to give blood next time you are doing other business in Melbourne/Bendigo/Adelaide/etc?
Mobile bus regularly parks in Springwood (where I did live), and was here in Richmond (where I live now). Yet to use the mobile service - I line up my donation with other stuff I need to do/when passing through Sydney/Parramatta/Penrith.

On 8/06/2011 Wollemi wrote:>Why not line up to give blood next time you are doing other business in>Melbourne/Bendigo/Adelaide/etc?>Mobile bus regularly parks in Springwood (where I did live), and was here>in Richmond (where I live now). Yet to use the mobile service - I line>up my donation with other stuff I need to do/when passing through Sydney/Parramatta/Penrit>.
Good point, will look into it.

First time I gave blood I must have got to about 75ml off the total blood volume to be taken out when my vision started to go hazy. Started to feel really light headed and disgusting. But I was with friends, so I didn't want to be that soft friend who couldn't donate blood without complaining, so I didn't say anything. Next thing I remember is waking up surrounded by the nurses trying to figure out why I wasn't allowed to get up.
Once I came round properly though, it was the end of the day so they had alot of extra food. 7 sausage rolls, 5 party pies, 2 milkshakes and a truckload of lollies later I was able to walk out the door.

I used to give blood regularly for years. Got out of the habit for some reason. I really should get along again as I have a fairly rare blood type. I also have veins like storm drains. One of the last times I went along it was a really humid day and I'd ridden my bike to the donation centre. My veins were 'up' to begin with. The nurse put the torniquet on my arm and said 'just open and close your fist a few... no that's quite enough thankyou, Mr Marsh'. A blind nurse could find my veins no problems.

After firing up the PC this morning, I noticed AJFClark's post of last night, so I was prompted to make an appointment to donate blood then immediately drove over to Penrith, doing my regular shopping there afterwards, instead of in Richmond.

I was running late and yet was in and out in 45 minutes. Much less pain then crimping at some S facing Blue Mts crags. In fact the pain is negligible, not unlike pinching your skin, but in some ways similar to a single acupuncture needle (it stays in for several minutes). You can donate whole blood every 12 weeks.

On 6/06/2011 nmonteith wrote:>I have to be restrained when anyone comes near me with a needle. I can>count the amount of injections ive had in my life on one hand. Utter utter>terror for me. Totally irrational I know but there is no way i could do>it! I have passed out on almost every occasion.

Eat some cement and HTFU, Neil

I've given 50 odd full blood donations but..

Neil, I can't climb any of your first ascents...utter, utter, terror!!!

On 22/07/2011 widewetandslippery wrote:>Anyone donated sperm? I hear its aweful. You can't get none reguarly or>knock the top off yourself. It all has to go in the cup. Is this true?

You have been hawking your wares in the wrong shop Dave. Now I know a little place that you will love and there is a cafe that sells beef meals just up the road from it too. I'd put the details here , but think it better to take you there myself.